Bible Dictionary
STRAIN
To strain is to filter liquid by removing small impurities. Jesus used the image of straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel to condemn attention to minor matters while neglecting greater righteousness.
Biblical Usage
Jesus’ image of straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel condemns attention to small matters while overlooking greater impurity. The picture is of a drinking vessel from which tiny material is removed while immense impurity is ignored.